I just need Markus to come the hell on.

“Dude, let’s go!”

Turning to me, he glares, rubbing some oil together in his palms before running it through his curls. “Dude, chill. I’m coming now.”

Rolling my eyes again, I tuck my phone into my pocket and push off the doorframe to go up the stairs. Since Markus and I are going for the captain positions, we already claimed the room I had last year when I shared with Jayden. Since he was the captain last year, he got to choose his roommate and he chose me. More because my mom worries about me twenty-four seven, but also because I’m his favorite sibling. I mean, if I had to choose between Jude, our older sister Lucy, or me, I would choose me.

I’m fucking amazing.

When I hear the door slam, I let out a sigh of relief as I listen to Markus running up the stairs behind me. He is a junior and also two years older than me since he started school late when he was a kid. He’s a cool dude and a really great friend. We clicked from the beginning and have been inseparable ever since. As the left wing to his right, we just work, on and off the ice. He’s basically my brother from another mother, and since we both have parents who have gotten divorced, we provide that support for each other.

“What’s your mom cooking?” Markus asks as he falls into step with me once we get outside. The house is empty; no one has moved in yet and won’t until Sunday, but I plan on getting my bags and stuff tonight so I can move in early. I think Markus is going to do the same thing. I’m not sure, though. I kind of hope so, because I don’t want to be in that house alone. I will more than likely be hungover tomorrow when I move in, but still, the Bullies’ house freaks me out when it’s empty.

Probably doesn’t help that Jayden convinced me it’s haunted. Asshole.

A shiver runs down my spine as I glance over at him. “Steak and potatoes, probably.”

“Cool.”

“Are you moving in tonight or tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Awesome.” My voice is full of relief, which makes Markus laugh.

“What, scared the boogeyman who wears a hockey helmet and carries a pointed stick will gut you?”

Glaring, I push Markus away. “Fuck off.”

His laughter is easy and his light caramel eyes fill with mischief as we cross the Bullies’ yard to the quad to get to my car. I left it over by the communications building after my last class.

“Why did you leave your car over here again?” I glance at him, annoyed since I already told him why.

“Because I was following these two girls, trying to get their numbers, and inviting them to the party tonight.”

He laughs. “But you failed?”

“No, I don’t fail; I just let them play their little game of hard to get. I’ll get them sooner rather than later.”

Actually, they were seniors and both had slept with my brothers.

I guess they weren’t down for a hat trick of the Sinclair brothers.

“They blew you off,” he accuses and I roll my eyes.

“No, I don’t get blown off. I’m Jace Fucking Sinclair—girls flock to me.”

Markus scoffs. “Keep dreaming, brother. You know the only reason they flock to you is to get to this chocolate dreamboat.”

I pause, laughter bubbling inside my chest. “Did you really just say that?”

Laughing, he nods. “Damn right, that’s what Leslie called me last night.”

My face wrinkles up at not only the mention of Leslie but also at the very graphic humping action Markus is displaying. “I think I just puked a bit.”

Still laughing, he somehow keeps up with me as I cross into the quad quickly. It is full of people, everyone enjoying the last couple weeks of summer weather. It is hot, not balls-hot, but hot. Girls are lying in their bikinis tanning, while dudes are running around with no shirts, trying to impress them. If I didn’t have somewhere to be, I’d throw off my black tee and join in on the game of football that has everyone’s attention.

But I have to go.

Checking out the many gorgeous women my school offers me, I ask, “So, you two are serious, then?”

“Um, no. I don’t do serious, bro. I got priorities.”

I couldn’t agree more. “Preach it.”

When it comes to girls, we both live by the motto: “My cock can play, but my heart is on the bench.” No matter how great the girl, how gorgeous she is, or how cool she is, she will never be what hockey is to me. Hockey is life. Hockey is my next breath, and it’s all that matters. When I get older and it’s time to settle down, I’ll let my heart off the bench. But right now, I don’t need some chick fucking with my heart and breaking me. I watched my mom go through some serious heartbreak, and I’m not about that life.

Neither one of us is.

I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’ve seen good relationships. My brothers and their wives are great and happy and all that jazz, but it’s hard to forget watching your older sister cry from the soul as she holds her daughter because her douche-ass husband left her for a skinnier and younger version of herself. Or watching my brothers duke it out with my dad because he not only cheated on my mom with some stripper, but he tried to hit her. Yeah, relationships are messy and I’m okay without that. Not everyone finds their soul mate. The good ones like Jayden and Jude do, and I’m cool with that. I’m not some girlie-girl dude like they are. I don’t need a chick to complete me. I’ve got hockey and a family that loves me. I’m good.

Plus, why settle for one when you can have ten?

That’s the real question.

I hold my fist up, and Markus bumps it. “But she’s fun, though. I like her.”

I nod at his honesty. “Don’t fall for her.”

He snorts loudly then, shaking his head. “No way, I don’t have time for that. Season is about to start; I got parties, work, training, and more chicks to go through. You know what I mean?”

“I hear you, hundred percent.” I throw him a grin, and he nods as we make it through the quad. It is loud today. Everyone is amped up for the start of the year, ready to work for his or her dreams, or they are miserable because their parents are making them come to BU. Either way, the quad is buzzing, and soon a grin is on my face. If this is the way it is now, everyone so excited, I can’t imagine how the party is going to be tonight.